Making Sense of the Amazon Web Services and Cisco Partnership

In late 2018, two of the largest companies in enterprise cloud computing made a big splash. Amazon and Cisco announced a partnership in which Cisco would have an integrated platform through Amazon Web Services. Now, given Amazon’s recent acquisition of seemingly everything, it can be easy to just skim the surface and see this as Amazon absorbing yet another industry giant. However, that’s not the case. Let’s breakdown everything involved in the new union of Amazon Web Services and Cisco.

Overview

It’s important to understand that the partnership between Cisco and Amazon Web Services is a collaboration in the truest sense of the word. If you’re unaware of what exactly Amazon Web Services does, it’s a paid subscription-based web platform that provides on-demand cloud computing for individual customers and at the larger company enterprise level as well.

There are a ton of products available through the AWS web platform. Everything from AR & VR and robotics development programs to security, migration and general developer tools are at the disposal of members.

As enterprises grow and adapt to compete in a world dominated by applications and data-based experiences, they’ve also had to adopt more hybrid cloud storage practices. Hybrid clouds provide better security and shorter downtime in the event of a data center disaster recovery. Public cloud providers like AWS are great tools commonly used by thousands of companies. But many of these companies are also using their own physical data centers, making hybrid cloud computing a necessity.

Containers and Kubernetes

Now developers are utilizing containerized applications and Kubernetes. The speed, aptness, and mobility of these technologies are helping developers create and deploy new applications at a more efficient rate. However, managing containerized applications in a hybrid cloud environment is complex with organizations needing to bring separate groups of teams, vendors, physical spaces and hardware, and digital technologies together under one cohesive banner. Operationally it’s a challenge, and the

The AWS and Cisco collaboration seeks to simplify this operation and containerized applications in general, with an “integrated and validated solution.” According to a Cisco blog post announcing the collaboration, the new solution will simplify the process of running new containerized applications for companies:

The Cisco Hybrid Solution for Kubernetes on AWS enables customers to securely deploy, connect, and monitor containerized applications in Kubernetes clusters consistently across private data centers and the AWS cloud. Customers can now get the best out both their cloud and on-premises environments with a single solution and enterprise-class support.

Specs

Previously, Cisco deployed the Cisco Container Platform (CCP) and brought Cisco solutions like AppDynamics and CloudCenter integrated Kubernetes support. The new Cisco Hybrid Solution for Kubernetes on AWS ties previous innovation with monitoring, networking, security, and overall management into one seamless, consistent platform that connects the AWS cloud with any physical data centers.

Basically the new hybrid solution ties the CCP to Amazon’s Elastic Container Service for Kubernetes (EKS). In this sense container clusters will be manageable physically on premise and on Amazon EKS in the AWS cloud.

Specifically, the Identity and Access Management (IAM) product available in AWS is used to authenticate and create the Virtual Private Cloud (VPC). It will then communicate to EKS, which will create a new cluster and configure the worker nodes within a cluster.

Via Cisco/AWS

Since the integration of IAM is a common authentication mechanism, the cluster administrator at a given company can control both physical and cloud environments, applying the same role-based access across both with the integration of Amazon Elastic Container Registry. That way all container images are in one simplified, singular, secure repository.

Additionally, other Cisco options can be implemented as additions to the system. For management, security, monitoring and networking:

So, What Does the Partnership Mean?

For businesses previously using either or both services, or struggling to manage all of their systems and applications across a hybrid cloud computing network, the partnership means simplifying processes. As the first, real hybrid solution for Kubernetes, it’s an exciting opportunity for innovation.

Containerized applications can now be more easily managed and deployed across a single system, making general operations more efficient. And more efficient systems means that innovation will accelerate through developers while reducing the time-to-market.

Further, the solution doesn’t call for any migration to a new platform. Containerized applications will work in existing production environments and current resources, seeing that both IT operations teams and developers needs are met. And finally, organizations can still count on the type of support Cisco has become known for.

With the Cisco Hybrid Solution for Kubernetes on AWS, everyone is a winner.

So despite the headline-grabbing sensationalism anytime Amazon makes a big industry move, it appears this partnership truly is a collaboration that will only help the thousands of individuals and companies subscribed and regularly using AWS do so more effectively. And through the partnership we should only see more exciting innovation in containerized applications and experiences in a shorter time span.

And at this stage in the game, if you’re still unsure about cloud storage, it may be time to move away from your physical facilities. Or at the very least, adopt a proper hybrid cloud storage system. Any system migration, particularly for data centers, may call for liquidation. Make sure your company is in the right hands to set yourself up for the future and save the most money in the long term.

And be sure to keep an eye on the major IT, tech, and cloud providing organizations and be aware of how efficient, simplified Kubernetes infrastructure may help your business grow and improve your company’s operations. If an upgrade or renovation to your data center requires a full on data center decommission, be sure to enlist the help of a certified IT asset disposition company. At Exit Technologies, we offer full IT equipment services ranging from asset recovery, network equipment sales and recycling, data erasure, and full data center decommission services.

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About Kyle Bittner

Kyle has worked in every department at Exit technologies having started in processing at the age of 14. Today he focuses on process improvement, business strategy and informatics, driving business development in a range of markets. A graduate of nursing, Kyle chose Exit over hospital life, quickly establishing himself as a key member of the company team.

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